The Pirates had a goal almost all season, and meeting it came down to one last chance June 20 versus the Warriors.

“Before the game I gave the kids an ‘I believe’ speech, so they knew they could beat anybody,” Pirates head coach Jim Ellis said.

DCABA combined the 9-U age division with the 10-U age division this season. 9-U teams now compete against 10-U teams in league play. However, no 9-year-olds’ team had beaten a 10-year-olds’ team – until the Pirates accomplished the feat.

Not only did the Pirates pull off the summer’s first victory of this type, but they also met their season goal. Ellis had promised to shave his head if the Pirates won, and after the victory he had to back up his statement.

“Back in May when we were 0-8, I gave the boys a challenge, a little motivation for a win, and it paid off,” Coach Ellis said.

Coach Ellis said his team needed a boost in order to beat a 10-U team and he was willing to take drastic measures.

“I told the boys that if they were to pull off a victory against a 10-year old team, I would buzz my head right after the victory,” said Coach Ellis.

Ginnie Ellis, Jim’s wife and team manager, said her husband brought up the idea of a buzz cut, but she told him he should shave it all off.

With motivational abilities such as this, parents and players agreed, Coach Ellis is a great coach.

Coach Ellis said he doesn’t yell or scream at his players, just the umpires. He tries to be a positive influence and knows his kids remember things he teaches them in practice during the game. Infielding and defense are two keys to winning in Coach Ellis’ playbook.

“I don’t put win-loss pressure on the boys,” he said. “I just help to develop their skills and improve their playing. Everyone gets a game ball after the game, win or lose.”

The Pirates had many obstacles to overcome during their season. This is the first year the team played together, and it faced opponents who’ve played together for a while.

Coach Ellis said his players have come a long way in their skill level and teamwork during the season.

“I drafted these kids based on coaches ratings, and let me tell you I was nervous going into the season,” Coach Ellis said. “They have come a long way, and I have had fun working with these kids.”

Halfway through the contest with the Warriors, the Pirates were down 7-1. Ginnie Ellis reminded the kids in the dugout of what was riding on a victory.

“When we were down 7-1, I thought my hair may be safe, but we are going to motivate these kids to win,” Coach Ellis said. “There is no pressure on the kids to win, but I like to instill (that) they can beat anybody. They have shown they can play well against any team.”

Coach Ellis said that all season long one bad inning with throwing errors had kept the Pirates from victory, but a six-run lead was not going to keep the team from their best win of the season.

From the third inning on the Pirates played great, including pitcher Caleb Heston, who allowed only one run in the final two innings.

“We were up by two in the bottom of the fifth and they scored a run,” Blake Winslow said. “That kind of scared us, and we knew the next batter was going to be the third out and end the game.”

“Defensively the kids made great plays,” Coach Ellis said.

The team said they wanted to win; the haircut just motivated them a little more.

“I was happy,” Hunter Dedloff said. “We won, and our coach shaved his head.”

Sam Boatright said he thought Coach Ellis’ shaved head was weird because he had never seen his coach’s head hairless before.

“I though it was hilarious,” Gennie Ellis said. “Bald is a good look for him.”

Coach Ellis is getting used to the new look.

“I think I might keep it bald,” Ellis said. “With no hair I feel cooler when I am in the heat and it makes getting ready easier.”

Parent John Carmody said physically it is very challenging for these younger boys to play the older teams.

“A reward like this is fun for this age,” Carmody said. “They used my chair for the haircut and it still has some hair in it.”

Parent Wendy Carmody thought it was cool that a coach would shave his head. She said Coach Ellis had a great sense of humor.

The win over the 10-U Warriors was important for the Pirates, helping the team meet a goal in its last opportunity to do so.

“They have bragging rights now,” Coach Ellis said. “We played all five of the 10-year-olds teams and got thumped in most of the games, so if I had to shave my head for the kids to win it is worth it.”

With none of his own kids on his team, Coach Ellis said he continues to coach for the love of the game.